The president of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, assured this Thursday that the “international context” is having an impact on the country’s development plan, despite greater political stability.

“In the last two years we managed to create greater political stability in our country, reaffirm our role in the African continent and recover our place in the concert of nations,” said Umaro Sissoco Embaló.

However, the international context does not favor full compliance with our development planespecially in what refers to the achievement of sustainable development goals”, he underlined.

The Guinean president was speaking at the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly, which is taking place in New York.

We in Africa are also feeling the consequences of the war in Ukraine which, unfortunately, is having a great impact, in particular, in the energy and agriculture sectors”, he declared.

According to Umaro Sissoco Embaló, inflation and the increase in the prices of cereals and other food products “have considerably worsened the already very difficult food situation.”

The head of state also stressed that “despite limited means”, Guinea-Bissau “will spare no effort to contribute to the maintenance of peace, stability and the protection of the planet”.

“We are determined to continue participating actively in the consolidation of multilateralism and in the promotion of dialogue and cooperation between the countries and peoples of the world,” he stressed.

The fight against terrorism in West Africa must involve the international community

The president of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, defended this Thursday that the fight against terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa must involve the international community and, in particular, the United Nations.

Allow me, in my capacity as chairman of the authority of the Heads of State and Government of West African States, ECOWAS, to recall that our subregion faces significant security challenges and that we need peace to ensure the development and well-being of our populations, which are our main wealth”, affirmed Umaro Sissoco Embaló.

The Guinean head of state affirmed that the stability of the African continent and in particular of West Africa “is threatened by insecurity caused by terrorism, violent extremism and transnational crime, in addition to violations of the principles of the democratic rule of law“.

“ECOWAS has created a political and legal framework and structural mechanisms for the prevention and resolution of political and institutional crises, however, the challenges remain numerous and difficult to resolve. We need international help to stop the spread of terrorism in West Africa and throughout the Sahel area”, he stressed.

According to Umaro Sissoco Embaló, terrorism, violent extremism and transnational crime are threats to “international peace and security that, in order to be combated effectively, must necessarily involve the entire international community and the UN in particular.”

Since 2020, the ECOWAS region has witnessed a wave of coups, specifically in Mali, Guinea-Conakry and Burkina Faso and is alarmed by the risk of contagion to other countries in the region and has multiplied mediation and pressure for return. to civil power in those countries.

In his speech, Umaro Sissoco Embaló defended a “comprehensive and lasting solution” to solve the problemsincluding “joint reflection, global solidarity and concerted and collective action”.

“We must share scientific knowledge and ensure equitable access to vaccines. The Covid-19 pandemic reminded us that we live in a globalized world, that the life of all human beings has the same value and that humanity is one and has a common destiny”, said Umaro Sissoco Embaló.

In this regard, and underlining the need to protect everyone, everywhere, from infectious diseases, the Guinean president invited all countries to contribute “to the replenishment of the Global Fund”.

“Together and in solidarity we can end malaria once and for all and save millions of human lives,” he added.

Umaro Sissoco Embaló recently assumed the presidency of the African Leaders Alliance Against Malaria.

According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), 96% of malaria cases worldwide and 98% of malaria deaths occur on the African continent.

At the end of his speech, Umaro Sissoco Embaló recalled the “need to lift immediately” the blockade against Cuba.